Nearly 500,00 dead since crippling economic sanctions were leveled against Iraq in 1990.

Bert Sacks has long believed the sanctions hurt the people of Iraq, not Saddam Hussein. So he's made numerous trips to Iraq to deliver medicine, over the objections of the U.S. government.

Sacks thinks all those deaths from sanctions related diseases according to the UN, are the reason the U.S. military is now getting an unexpected 'cold shoulder' from many Iraqi's.

"We want them to believe we care about them after doing this to punish Saddam. I think the people there are saying to themselves - we may not like Saddam, but you're invaders...we're gonna fight you because you're invading our country," said Sacks.

The President's administration strongly disagrees. They believe death squads are threatening people in Iraqi cities, preventing many from welcoming U.S. soldiers.

They also say the sanctions are Saddam Hussein's responsibility.

But the government does admit humanitarian aid and removing Saddam from power are just the start. That the real key is convincing the people of Iraq that the U.S. really cares.

Sacks says "and we say it's not our fault - it's his fault." He fears 12 years of sanctions and the deaths of a half-million children may be too much to overcome.

"Imagine your kid being held hostage and dying for lack of medicines or food because somebody doesn't like what President Bush does, how would you feel."

Sacks insists this is a story about perception and he believes what we're seeing from Iraqi's is tied to 'their' belief right or wrong that the U.S. is to blame.